Ok, I have an E40D in my 97 Expy. Yesterday I changed the fluid, filter and installed a B&M drain plug kit.

I wasn't looking forward to my tranny fluid/filter change because I didn't have a drain plug in the pan... YET. I drained the torque converter first. There was proably 5 or 6 quarts in there! I REALLY didn't want to drop the pan and spill the other 6 quarts of super hot fluid all over me and my garage floor (all said and done there probably would've only been a half quart in the catch pan ). So... instead of doing that, I scoped out the location where I was going to install the drain plug (centered in the rear side of the sump) and made a mark. I put a stop on a 1/8" drill bit for a max length of 1/4", wrapped my cordless drill in a plastic grocery bag, got the catch pan underneath and then drilled the hole. I got a nice stead stream of fluid in my catch pan. After about 30 minutes I went out there and proceeded to take the pan off, cleaned it, installed the plug kit, change filter, etc., etc..

Yeah, you're right... I'm lazy. BUT, my garage floor is spotless and I didn't have to go to the hospital with nth degree burns over my entire body!

Warning: If you plan on doing this, remember to use a stop on your drill bit so that you won't go too deep into the pan! Also, you really don't need a lot of pressure on the bit. I find when drilling on metal, that light pressure applied in short bursts does a nice job... and it doesn't tear apart your bit either.

Mike

 

i just put a drain plug in my c6 pan when i rebuilt the c6. i wish i had thought to do as you suggested. i got fluid all over the place inspit of my best efforts to keep it clean.
good idea!.

 

mwpierson
Where did you buy your drain plug and how does it install?
Once you drill the hole do you just screw it in the pan?
Thanks,

 

good tip! I'd go online and look for pictures of the tranny you are working on first to get some idea of where you will want the drain to be before you drill the hole - the plug kits that I have seen all install with a nut on the inside of the pan and need 1/2" or more of clearance inside - I'd hate to drill it right where things are tight under the pan...

 

I got the B&M plug kit for about $9 at Napa.

I used that 1/8" hole not only for the initial drain but also as a pilot hole for 1/2" bit the kit requires. The plug bolt goes in from the outside of the pan, held in buy a nut at 25ft-lbs and is hollow. The drain plug is a smaller diameter bolt that threads into the larger one. The instructions on the package explain it much better then I.

Mike

 

Yeah, no doubt! Most of the installs I've seen on the net were in the backside of the lower sump area. All that's there is the magnet and inlet tube from the filter.
But johnsalterego is right, you must know YOUR tranny config before drilling blindly.

Mike